BIR bolsters advocacy team

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has expanded its advocacy team with the appointment of Olatz Finez as Trade and Environment Policy Officer.

Finez, who joined BIR in August, will lead the organisation’s policy work on ferrous, stainless, critical raw materials and shredders, while also monitoring regulatory developments across the EU and Latin America.

It marks further expansion of the advocacy team under BIR trade and environment director Alev Somer to champion the global role of recycling and influence policy. 

Sustainability background

Finez has more than six years’ experience of working with European institutions, specialising in policy analysis, legal research and strategic advocacy. She represented the Basque Country Delegation to the EU, gaining insight into sustainability frameworks such as the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She also worked at the European Ombudsman, focusing on environmental policy and public governance, and at the European Environmental Bureau, where the portfolio included industrial pollution prevention, the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and raw materials policy.

Language skills

Finez obtained a degree in Law and International Relations in her hometown of Bilbao, later specialising in human rights law with a focus on climate and environment issues at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. She is fluent in Basque, Spanish, English and French, and is currently learning Italian and German.
Somer says: ‘With her strong legal background and experience in EU environmental law and international trade, Olatz will play a key role in supporting our members and advancing our industry’s priorities. We look forward to achieving new milestones together.’